The West Chicago Garden Club

By Ruth Kyme

Our June speaker is Diane Smith, owner of the Perennial Professionals, a landscape design and installation company. Diane also teaches at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where she enjoys making landscape design accessible and inspiring for gardeners of all levels.

During Diane’s presentation, ‘How to Breathe Life into Your Landscaping,’ we will learn ways to transform our home landscape and boost curb appeal through thoughtful plant selection, dynamic color choices, and solutions that work with the natural conditions of each site.

Diane blends practical design principles with an artist’s eye, helping homeowners transform their landscapes.

Everyone is welcome to come to a meeting and learn about our club.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church (NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.)

Meeting Time:

• 6:45PM Arrive & Mingle
• 7:00PM Business Meeting
• 7:15PM Program

By Ruth Kyme

Our May speaker is Ann Baker. Ann is a certified Environmental Consultant and landscape Design Consultant. During Ann’s presentation; “The Blended Family: Integrating Natives into Traditional Gardens,” we will discover how to incorporate native plants into our gardens without sacrificing our beloved flowers and favorites. Learn how native species can add beauty while supporting pollinators, improving soil and water health, and creating a healthier ecosystem right in your own landscape. We’ll also explore keystone plants and practical ways to choose natives that work well in everyday home gardens.

Everyone is welcome to come to a meeting and learn about our club.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church (NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.)

Meeting Time:

• 6:45PM Arrive & Mingle
• 7:00PM Business Meeting
• 7:15PM Program

By Ruth Kyme

Nina Koziol is a horticulturist and garden writer who tends plants on a deer-infested acre about 40 miles from Chicago. She has written garden articles for the Chicago Tribune for 22 years as well as for Chicagoland Gardening, Old-House Journal, Organic Gardening and The American Gardener. Nina writes for ILCA’s The Landscape Contractor, PlantersPlace.com, and for The Chicago Botanic Garden’s web site. She has been teaching horticulture, garden design and residential landscape design history at the Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum since 1997.

Painting Your Garden with Plants: Shade: A garden shaded by trees or buildings is often a challenge for the gardener who is faced with low light levels, tree roots, and soil that is often dry. Through Nina’s
presentation, “Painting Your Garden With Plants: Shade,” we will discover solutions and ideas for artful plantings that can help us create effective combinations with optimal color, texture, and form. Take your shade garden beyond hostas with native wildflowers for spring and flowering perennials for summer and fall.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church (NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.)

Meeting Time:

• 6:45PM Arrive & Mingle
• 7:00PM Business Meeting
• 7:15PM Program